IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / O {./ V ^ 4i is m fe &^ C/j fA 1.0 I.I |M 112.5 Ilia :j36 40 1.8 1-25 1.4 1.6 ■« 6" ► cf; e). V) w #: o on. /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 f^ ;\ ^^ \ «\' 6^ <^> o " %^ W^-^^ % 1? %" w CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Coloured covers/ ''' ' Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ 7] D D □ n Couverture endommagee Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e □ Cover title missing/ Le c itre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encie de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es lors dune restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film^es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentairej; L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. n / □ D Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicul^es Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d^coior^es, tachet^es ou piquees Pages det sched/ Pages derachees Showthr ;uuh/ Transparance Quality of print varies/ Quality in^gale de {'impression I I Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t(k film6es d nouveau de facon d obtenir la meillaure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X ilmed here has been reproduced thanks irosity of: Library of the Public Archives of Canada L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grSce d la gdn6rosit6 de: La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada i appearing here are the best quality insidering the condition and legibility nal copy and in keeping with the itract specifications. pies in printed paper covers are filmed /vith the front cover and ending on )e with a printed or illustrated impres- I back cover when appropriate. All lal copies are filmed beginning on the vith a printed or illustrated impres- nding on the last page with a printed id impression. ;orded frame on each microfiche in the symbol --^(meaning "COIM- or the symbol V (meaning "END"), applies. )s, charts, etc., may be filmed at duction ratios. Those too large to be luded in one exposure are filmed fi the upper left hand corner, left to ip to bottom, as many frames as ie following diagrams illustrate the Les imai^ :s suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film^, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim^e sont filmds en commengant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film^s en commengant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — h^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour gtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supiirieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 I 1 CANADA. /{ Ho DES .0 BEco^^ 4i ^ ! ■' ! r ^ nvi! JUi . 1 —A' iLviL?! ISSUED BY AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO. THECDPP,CLARKCO,UM?UTH.IDRDNTQ. \ 3latchedai ' CHHISTIjiKlr. \V /-' Penetan^ulsl/eflJ <. Jape Rich Miaioiii .3- . foton evlile>*Iuli Shelburne^; »jr^ lUrc >M HiXI ^rial tui ^r> t Dive Port Byel^ei ONTARIO AS A HOME FOR THE British Tenant Farmer I ■a i 'fi WHO DESIRES TO BECOME HIS OWN LANDLORD. M Issued by Authority of the Government of Ontario. ti Hon. ARTHUR S. HARDY, M. P. V. C'wunis.tiono' of IniMuiraUon. DAVID .SPENCE, S(('V(t(ir>i fiinninnitiim Drpurtvunt. TORONTO: PRiNTEn liY Warwick & Sons, 26 & 28 Front Street West. 1880. M' 82" K ■i; ^ Wl' liiiinitiidt JftM -''° i^^^''''- u- > p.i .to** ouon ^2^1 Jit.' aTJ>UC'K ^-*^-=^ ^^^V^ .^<.*^f Wv^^.>' .-^•eon bill's X iot^^^ *ett Mugmittu\v2n^ [r- \ 3Cabots Head 7 Adair Parr^/ 6'ouh(/ ."ii-v/^ Parry SoiUlih^ -t-KernG C.Croker Malchedtisi vlColpoyiiB. I ■ ■* Penetangul&ifeiiii *u g SS2/e*t above Sea Level aii, , Tawaa Hopwp ^ ,a^ , Port Austin Southampton^ Port Elgin, B BTJ< Kincardine/ HaribWerl Wa'lker^oni {(Scverti ] .Bar Beave^o Cannl ^"* Sand Beach ' '^•r "feay city 2 E.Sajtlnaw Poi t Albert ioderiohl o. J Lapeer •Leaclngtdn q i«"^Unton /*' ^SeafUrth foton , V% MtBuriii gtoi •mKATwaiiTii T)iindi / \o Holly I> Ronttac"— \ PSoil Ypsilanti < -^Detroi Windao; 5a mil Plorenoft j Cayuga* ail Lake/^ iVaterfo: it. Jarvjak J , . ^>S5j;;j;^?j/HAn)lMlMi SjmcoeVsS IH Br* LJi/Port Dover Port Eyefrse OTtEowan VioNo poibfi I. \> *1 Amher l-EiMzCea. j/'Ttomney K ^ si*i ,ei'^'^' ,lev' ,el Z! "JJunklrk N AN M° 84" 81' 80^ LoncitUdt West fi" from Ortemuich 78° n° M" T6' svllle '\ .0 10 40 80 10 c^^^ PaplneuuvV reo) ^^\\\ — j?*o M Cmpo^^^JUnarl Ayliut luir uclcmghain oh '^ L'Orignal ibiiry *«» .tM^i. Almpritel on JlV Mjndc Clnn^n ) O \ d \ Bu e"SlU \ "« V".:^ Co . ,^^ ^Ky^^k a?*a«nPETEIU{oifWIJJlI fNpWibCTNVv-abr, Ml' M , JRBNTI ttl3s&.ncervlU( sVpots V-3ib l_j|iCasselmaii ^ V/8T0rtM0HT^^I«n»til: 4>^ \ Mines "^-^y JH)S/»AB«ocl?e8 CltVlllB otS«^Y« naf \ ^ K eUlbott l| • AM*i J>'«Ui£*eJ5;porj) tlalrton WHaW ^u,am>^oVtjli'^ M^Uatpwu ^ Muloue 8 B/uci£ J ^Cjii^ntebJufoyd NewfctjrJ itTn f^ pHamootf Treni »UKIIAa\B^tLorf^t°5^ ti— —4-0— o^ ^%> 'n t \ unji^^jtiftB»Ti7^;JaWCape Vliicedt' from Grtenwich 78 » 77° NORTHWESTER'N DISTRICT'S OF ONTARIO / 8CALB or MIliM. 93 JO" M" 81° M « 75" •k VENICE. * TURIK. ■*f BORDEAUX 4- MODENA. i*MENTON< • PAU. ^NIOE. ■k MARSEILLES ■^ TOULON. i CONTENTS. Intkohuction ; PAdKH. Ellucts of EinijL^ratioii Rapid Pni'^ross of tin- Now Coiii- iiuuiitie-t — UpitoitunitioH for liiclividiials .'{-5 'rilK PRCVINCK OK OsTAItlO : Extent iiiul (leoifnipliical I'osition— Pliyaical Fuaturos and Natuiiil W.jiilih-The Settled Portion— Tlu> Insuttled Portion — Population ti-S PjtovjNciAi, AND Municipal Systkms of Governmknt: Powers and Constitution of Local (iovernnu'iit— Division of the Province .,)r Municipal and .Judicial purpuscH HO Educationai, and Otukh Institutions: Free Public and Sei)arate Schools School Statistics- -Model Schools — Agi icuUural Cnllege and M>)ilel Farm -B'armers' Institutes — Agricultural Societies, etc. — Religious De- f(; nominations — National and other Societies, etc., etc .... !)-l4 Climate, A(;ckss to Makkkts, Soil, Pkouctions, etc. : Salubrity of the Climate — The Seasons —Access to the World's Markets — Toronto— Local Markets — Varieties of Soil— Testimony of Prof. Sheldon— Hon. I). A. Wells— Average Yield per Acre — Dairy Farming and Stock Raising — Fruit Farming, Vine Culture 14-23 AURICULTURAL STATISTICS : Live Stock Trade — Present value of Live Stock — Export of Cheese — Butter — Ontario's Progress in F'^ifty Years- f| Lmnbering — Mining 24-26 Facilities for obtaining Fakais : Why Farms are Cheap — British System adapted to Ontario Farms— Price of I'anning Lands — Cheap Farms — Rent- ing Farms '20-29 Free Grant Lands: Townships open for Location — Settlement Duties — New Free Grant Region— Riviny River — Splendid Soil — How to Settle on a Free Grant 29-32 Farm Labourers and Domestic Servants : Prospects of Employment — Rates of Wages 32 ^^s'ii INTRODUCTION. The subject of emigration is oiui which has occupied and will con- tinun to occupy a larnci shiro of pul)lic attcMition. Tho philanthropist and the statesman regard it as an important factor in their schemes for the well-being of the people. The man of energy recognises in it the opening of new and wider fields for his enterprise, and to anyone who aspires to the possession of an independent home, whether as the reward of his industry or at the cost of a moderate outlay of capital, it iilfordd the means whereby he can gratify his ambit ion. For generations there has l)een an unceasing annual outflow of p > .ulation from the British Isles, and those who wt-re left behind have thereby enjoyed freer scope for the [)ursuit of material cop rt and aocifi progress, for it ha'^ mitigated the pressure of the ever swell: ^g num- bers who are cioNvJing each other in tl e battle of life, and to that extent i' l;as inod(!rated the keenness of home competition. But what of those who went forth to seek their fortunes in new fields ? Have they fared worse than those they left behind them ? The history of the new countries, peopled mainly by Uritish emigrants, answers tlie (juestion most emphatically in the negative. It proves beyond controversy that the emigrants have, by ♦hrir industry and enterprise, built up new communities rivalling the old in every element that constitutes a nation's greatness and contributes to the happiness of its inhabitants. The rapid growth of these new communities is the most remarkable feature in the history of the present century. Compare the record of the British Colonies with that of any European country, not excepting Britain, and what do we find 1 A progress that equals if it does not exceed the ratio of fifty to one in favour of the Colonies in all that goes to make up the material well-being of the )>opulation. And what is true of the Colonies as a wliole is true in a measure of the individuals who have made them. Take tlie Province of Ontario, in the Dominion of (^anada, as a sample. There, substantial wealth or^a reasonable competency, i within the reach of every industrious nmn whose efforts are gently directed. Tlie penniU ss pioneer of a few years ago is the substantial, independent farmer of to-day. The uplifting of the tency, is "^ intt llj- J ir\ Id fVi£k ' ONTAltIO AS A HOME poople ill sociiil and material ooi.ifort is a process as visibly going on from year to year fc.s the revolution of the seasons. Its progress is recorded in the annual advance in the value of their accumulated ; property, in the increase of their trade both in imports and exports, in the establishment and development of religious, educational and benevolent institutions, in the spread of social refinement, in the cultivation of the sciences, in the appliance of every art that niinist(irs to the happiness of human life. Nor are these conditions the result of long and painful evolution, taking genei'otions for their development. Tlu^ young man, with no capital, if possessing only an average knowledge of agricultural labour, and devoting himself earnestly to work, may, with the exercise of reasonable economy, realize a competence by the time he has reached middle life ; and the man who is a practical farmer, and the possessor of means sufficient to stock an average Knglish farm, can at once liegin life in Ontario as his own laai'.lnrd, with every assurance of a prosperous career before him. The present condition of agricultural industry in the British Isles offers no such encouraging prospects either to the labourer, or the farmer with limited capital. Statements have very recently been made public, through the English pre.ss, contirming the conclusion that the existing depression re.sts on no mere temporary or easily removable (!ause, and a brief reference to the figures given will not b(^ out of place here. A tenant farmer in Lincoln- shire, who is described as an e.vcellent managei-, a good business man, and a recognized authority on agricultural matters in his neighbourhood, publishes a statement, covering ten years of his receipts and expenditure, on a farm of 480 acres. During that period, his average annual receipts were five pounds less than his expenditure, and for the year 1885, his receipts fell short of his expenditure by over £360. A Berkshire farmer publishes a state- ment, showing deficiencies of about £800, £G00, and £l,irr) for the years 188:], "81 and 188."), respectively, on a (iOO acre farm. In the ^'^^j former case, there is a chai'ge of ") per cent, for interest on a capital of .£4,000 ; in the latter of nearly £7,000 : but it will be seen that the farm<>r in each case is virtually, though slowly sinking his capital. The Lincolnshire farmer received 31 per cent, less for his wheat, 12 per cent, less for his barley, 24 per cent, less for his wool, and 21 per \>- KOI! THK MHITISH TKNAN 1' I AllMKIf. 6 c(^nt. loss for lii.s live stock sold in 1)^85, than the average prices he had received during the ten years ending with 1S84. This decline is attributed chieHy to the competition from America, India, and Aus- tralia, and that competition is inevitably destined to increase as the agricultural capaiiilities of these countries are more fully developed. In the face of these facts, emigration jippears the most reasonable hope for permanent improvement in the circumstances and surround- ings of farmers of limiteil means, as well as of agricultural labourers. Where the cultivable area is so small, and the ]iopulation so dense, the most lil)eral land laws cannot counteract the lowering intluences of competition, and against these intluences only the few can hope to rise above the average level, which will always be below the normal condition of the same class in a country wherein land is plentiful, and its ownershij) of easy acquisition. In a country like Canada, and especially in the Province of Ontario, the farm labourer can, in a few years, gather means enough to rent a farm ; in a few years more, by well-directed industry, ha will, under ordinary circumstances, be in a position to liuy one for himself. The fanner with moderate means, can begin at once as his own landlord ; or if lie prefers (which is not a bad plan) to acquire a little experience and personal knowledge of the country, he can rent for a short term, until he has had time to make up his mind as to the locality in which he would like to " settle down. It is because of these opportunities, open to all, of accjuiringa home and a competence in a comparatively few years, rather than for any immediate accunnilation of wealth, or the |)rospe(l of inordinately high wages, that Ontario offers an exceptionally attractive tield to the British agriculturist. Though other portions of tin- Dominion, and especially Manitoba and the great Xorth-West, may prcr'ent special inducements to the ambitious and adventurous, the Province of Ontario is, for many icasons. the one which olfers in the greatest degree, all the advantages of the New World. coml)ined with the least sense of deprivation of the comforts of the Old, and to the British farmer, the most congenial and homelike surroundings. To the Province of Ontario, therefore, the "emarks in the following pages will be chieHy confined, and their object w"'l be to show in a plain way, the facilities it affords to the British agriculturist to establish himself in comfort and independence. % ONTARIO AS A HOME ' THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. Ontario embraces an area of about two hundred tliousand square miles, nearly eighty thousand more tlian the UnitiHl Kingdom. It extendrf from east to west nearly eleven hundred miles, and from north to south seven hundred miles. Its southern l)order, Essex County, on the sliores of Lake Erie, is traversed by the 4'2nd parallel, and its norihern, at James' 15ay (forming the southern extremity of Hudson's I5ay) by the 52nd, so that it lies within the same degrees of latitude as Michigan, New York, and the New England States, as well as the greater portion of the most fertile countries in Europe. Tlie International boundary line, dividing Canada from the United States, which runs through the River St. Lawrence, and the great chain of lakes, Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior, forms the southern and southwestern boundary of the Province ; on the west lies the Province of ManitoI)a ; on the north the District of Keewatin and James' liay, and northeasterly the Ottawa River divides it from Quebec, the latter Province forming the eastern boundary. It is bountifully supplied with wat-^r throughout its whole extent ; patches of swamp lands are numerous in nearly every distiict, but they are usually of small dimensions, and the " cedar swamp " though little fitted for the purposes of agriculture, is exceedingly valuable to a neighbourhood on account of the durability of its timber, and its special adaptability for the making of shingles, posts, fence-rails, paving-blocks, etc., etc. But nowhere is there an arid district, or one in which an abundant water-supply cannot be readily procured, both for man and beast. Besides innumerable lakes, rivers, creeks, and streamlets, springs abound in many localities, and everywhere under the soil, pure wholesome water can be "struck " at distances varying from fourteen to forty feet, so that sinking a well, which is frequently a necessity for an isolated household, is very seldom attendtid with much trouble or great expense. Redeemed, as the cultivated portion of the Province has been, from the primeval forest, it is needless to say that its vast wealth of timber is still one of its most valuable heritages, capable of furnishing an abundant supply, both for home consumption and for every probable demand that commerce can make upon it, for centuries to come. Though much has been added, of late years, to the general FOR THE BRITISH TENANT FARMER. knowledge of the subjoct, the gre;\t region which is considered to be the main depository of nature's most lil>eral gifts in mineral wealth, is as yet almost unexplored, and only known as to its general external features. But enough is already established to show that the Lake Superior district is enormously rich in iron, silver, copper and other minerals, and now that the Canadian Pacilic railway is running through that country, an early development of the mining industry is sure to follow. In the Ottawa region, in addition to the metals already mentioned, there have bi'en considerable finds of gold, while the quarrying of plaster of paris, or gypsiun and marl)le of excellent quality, are both profitable industries. In the southern district, near Lake Huron, are the famous oil springs), from which petroleum is obtained in immense quantities ; and further to the north in the same district, are prolific salt wells, which send forth an abundant su|)ply of brine, the salt obtained from which forms a large item in the com- merce of the place. There are also considerable areas of peat beds in several parts of the Pi'ovince ; its rivers and lakes are well supplied with fish, and its forests with game. But the great and abounding element of Ontario's natural wealth is in its soil, and to it and its products it is desired to direct the attention of intending emigrants. Before speaking of the agricultural capabilities of Ontario it seems proper to make a brief reference to its government and institutions, so that the emigrant may form some idea how much, or rather how little, of old world manners and ways that are desirable to preserve, he will have to pxrt with should he make Ontario his future home. This Province is the most populous and wealthy in the Dominion. Though the newest of all the old Provinces, it has made much more rapid progress than any of the others. Its settlements, extending first along the banks of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers and the shores of tlie great lakes, have been gradually pushing backward towards the north and west, so that now as far north as (and including) Jtm County of Renfrew on the east and the County of Bruce on the west — from the Ottawa River to Lake Huron on a line about midway between the 45Lh and 4Gtli parallel — ^forins one solid and compact setth.ment, with Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the River St. Law*rence for its southern boundary. In this are included the whole of the forty-two counties comprising what may be termed the com- pletely and permanently organized portion of the Province, within 8 ONTAltlO AS A iloMK which ahuost all the Jicquired wealth and nearly the entire popul.l- tion are concentrated, and in which there is neither a barren spot nor a single township that is not partially occupied. This though a small part of the territory embraced within the geographical bound- aries of the Province (as the reader will perceive by examining the accompanying map) is really what is ordinarily spoken of as "Ontario": but though the county divisions have, not yet l)een pushed further north and west into Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipis- sing, Algonia, Thunder Pay and Rainy River l)istricts, into which the main part (geographically speaking) of the Province is divided, yet the Judicial, educational and municipal institutions are carried along with the advance of settlement into these districts, and the in- habitants have also their representatives in the Legislative; Assembly, so that the description of the general institutions of the Province apply to them as to the older localities, in so far as they are fitted for their introduction. At the lust census, taken in April, 1881, li che poj)tdation of the Province was 1,1)23, 'J'iS, and is at present 0 jjj for the second year, it will be observed that the scale of fees is f\ graduated in favour of the people of the Province, while strangers ■if' ,i,i are permitted to enjoy its advantages by an extra payment. |i The Model Farm has conferred great benefit on the agriculturists !!!' of the Province, by the importation of thoroughbred stock from (ireat i! Britain, and l)y holding annual sales as the animals multiply on tlie ! farm. In order that farniir.s in all parts of the Province may share |ji ■ equally in the advantages of this arrangement, the animals bought at I, the sale arc; delivered at the pur haser's residence free of expense. 1; It must be obvious that such an institution is calculated to aid very |j| materially in the development of every branch of agricultural industry. li In connection with the College, a series of meetings is held through- ll out the different counties at stated periods, called " Farmers' In- jij stitutes,"at\vlucli the farmers of the county or neighbourhood assemble l' to exchange experiences and discuss improved methods of prosecuting their calling. These meetings are attended by one or more of the Professors of the College, or by other competent lecturers, who give instructions suitable to the season, and with the view of improving the methods pursued in that particular locality. Butter making, cheese making, sheep faiming, the rearing of young cattle, etc., etc., as well as the varieties of manure, the management of the soil, and kindred subjects, form the ordinai-y topics of discussion at these " Institutes," and much good has already been effected by them. The Provincial, the County, and the Township Agricultural Societies, sustained partly by the Government and partly by voluntary contributions, through the agency of their annual exhibitions stin«u- FOU THK IJIUTISM TKNANT FAlJMKIi. 18 late progress by lu^altliful competition and a liberal distiibution of prizes ; and the- Bureau of Statistics, established by the (lovernnient, for the collection and monthly publication of crop reports, and the othcial collection and dissemination of statistics, and other information bearing on the condition \nd progress of agriculture and other industries, furnishes another and (juitc; a valuable aid to the farmer, in making his calculations as to crops and nmrkets. A further instance of the watchful interest which the Government takes ill the farmer's prosperity, and of its willingness to help him forward, is tlie aid afforded lor the estal)lishment of a Model Creamery in the Province, so that l>utter making, whidi is already becoming an important br inch of the farmers' business, may be rendered still more profitable. It also makes an allowance from the public chest to assist the farmers in planting shade trees on the highways adjoining their farms, where the local municipalities under- take the superintendence of the v/ork. In so far as legislation can l)e made to encourage the farmer in carrying enterprises to profitable results, he can have no possible reason of complaint against the Ontario Legislature, but on the contrary, many good reasons for thankfulness that his interests have been so well considered, and this perhaps- may safely be said to liave resulted from the large measure of influence which he enjoys in the direction of public affairs. Ontario is most liberally supplied with churches. The principal denominations of (Christians lank as to numbers in the following order, as given in the census of 1881 : Methodists, (the several bodies of Methodists are now united in one as the " Methodist Church of Canada") 591,50.-$; Presbyterians, 417,749; Church of England, ;$66,r)69 ; Roman Catholics, ;VJ0,839 ; Baptists, 10«),680. All denominations stand on the same footing before the law, there being no State Church, nor cliurch rates, nor tithes. They are all supported on the voluntary principle, and while appav(!ntly having an abundant supply of funds for their own proper purpose.^, they contribute liberally to charitable and missionary enterprises, both within and without the Dominion of Canada. The feeling prevailing among the several bodies towards each other is one of friendly sympathy and rivalry in doing good, and religious distinctions are entirely excluded from con- sideration in the combinations which form the two great political parties of Liberals and Conservatives, 11 14 ONTAKIO AS A HOME National and benevolent societitis, tcmiutrance societies in con- nection with, or independent of, the chui-ohes, literary and musical societies, and social clubs, are plentiful in the cities and towns, and there are numerous ways of maintaining social intercourse in the rural districts. Upon the whole, the British emigrant who settles down in Ontario, will find that social life there is very much like what it is " at home " among the well-to-do people, both in town and country — except that in Ontario the freedom of intercourse may strike him as being somewhat less restrained. He will mingle with people of the same stock as himself, but he will find a more intimate and friendly admixture of English, Scotch and Irish than he is likely to have been accustomed to before. He will have transferred himself from the land where the three nations make one kingdom, to the land where the children of the three nations make one people ; but in this change, either in its cocial or its political aspects, he will find nothing that should wound his susceptibilities ; l)ut rather let it be hoped, the freer development of the most estimable qualities in each |! • harmonizing in the formation of a new national character, alike I]! honourable to the people of Canada, and to the countries from which P they have sprung. f CLIMATE, ACCESS TO MARKETS, SOIL, PRODUC- f TIONS, ETC. Ill The climate of Ontario varies according to latitude, elevation and situation with reference to the great lakes, liut is, upon the whole, one of the most pleasant and healthful in the world. The extremes of heat and cold are far greater than in Great Britain, but the purity and drymss of the atmosphere render the hottest days in summer, as well as the coldest in winter, endurable without discomfort. Foes are rarely seen, except in the mornings of spring and autumn, and though the rainfall averages about the same as that of Great Britain, one year with another, yet the " rainy days " are much fewer in number, and more certain in their seasons of recurrence. The old description of Canadian seasons — " six months of winter and six months of summer " — is not true of any Province in the Dominion, ^l though it may be approximately corn-ct as to some localities in the north-eastern and north-western territories. But as to Ontario it has no application whatever. 1' Foil Tlili liUlTlSU TENANT I'AUMKU. 15 In tho .southern region, bordcrina; on the lower bikes (Krio and Ontario) the winter usually begins about Christmas and lasts until the latter part of March. Further to tho north it begins a little earlier, say about the middle of December, and breaks up during the first or second week in April. Except in the northern region there is no winter in Ontario lasting over four months, and its average duration in the settled portion of the Province (previously described) is from three months in the southern anU western to three and a-half or at the most four months in the e(\st< rn and northern dis- tricts. The winter storms are comparatively rare— such violent hurricane.s, cyclones, or "blizzards" as occasionally visit the western States of the American Union, carrying d6;ath and destruction before them, are altogether unknown— and the public highway and railway trathc is never " blocked " or interrupted more than a few hours at a time, even in the stormiest weather. Though in the northern parts of the Province tho winter begins earlier and breaks up later than in the southern, yet so far as settlenn nt has yet advanced to the west and north the seasons have otlered no bar to the successful prosecution of agriculture. April ushers in the spring which comes with great rapitlity, the luxuriant vegetation being a perennial source of wonder and admira- tion even to those who have witiiessed it for twenty or thirty years, but whose memories recur to the slower growth with which they were made familiar in the country uhere they spent their youth. For the practical purposes of the farm the spring is a " short " season and a busy one. The genial rains whith fall liberally in April and May, and the incrertsing warmth of air and soil push forward vegetation with great vigour, and in a few weeks the summer time and the harvest are hurried on together. The summer season is usually reckoned from the middle or end of May to the middle of Septeml)er. Under the steady warmth and refreshed by occasional brief but copious showers, the crops make rapid progress, and the month of June is hardly finished ere the hum of preparation for the harvest is heard. Hay -cutting begins al out the end of June, and the wheat liarvest in the first week of July, in the most southern parts of the Province. In other localities both operations begin a week or two later accurding to f-ituation. All the other grain crops follow in rapid succession, so that before the end \(\ ONTAUIU AS A IIOMK If'i III i * « of Au^'ust thf! hurvr.,t is complf'tcd througlioiit the Province. The ijivrvcst time is usuiiUy the period of extreme summer heat, yet those who work in th(! open fiehl, under th(^ rays of the sun in the middh- of tlie hottest days, seldom suffer injury or even seriouH diseouifort if they use ordinary precrautions for their prot(!ction. The autumn season, caUed the " Fall," is the most delieiously- enjoyal)le weather of the whoh; year to those who do not give the preference to the crisp air, the keen frost and the music of the sleigh- bells in winter. Autumn is not less lieautiful than summer ; the atmosphen* is cooler, hut in October and sometimes in Noveiuber the days are of a gonial warmth, and th(; nights cool and refreshing. The operations on the farm at this season consist mainly of prepara- tions for the next approaching seasons of winter and spring. The gathering and storing of root crops, the " fall " ploughing and the preparations generally for wintering stock, etc., should keep the farmer and his help bu.sy, whenever the state of the weather permits. It is usual to have a fluri-y of snow some time in November, which, however, si^ldom lies mor<» than a day or two, when it disappears, and the cool, open weather, with occasional heavy lains, runs well on through December, especially in the south-western districts. There is much inisconception as to the severity and unbearable- neas of the e.xtremes of (Canadian sc^asons. Hut neither the winter, bv the rigour of its cold, nor the summer, by the intensity of its heat, should frighten away the British emigrant from the Province of Ontario. The testimony of those who have had (experience of the seasons both in Britain and Ontario, is without exception favourable to the climate of the latter as being decidedly more salubrious and enjoyaV)le throughout the whole year, ft may be mentioned also that the summer days are shorter and the winter days are longer in Ontario than in Britain, and with the pure, dry atmosphere, the bright sunshine of the day-time and the clear starlit sky at night, which are connnon characteristics of a Canadian winter, this season, besides being one of great commercial activity, offers numerous facilities for healthful exercise and rational enjoyment, and is welcomed by many as the most delightful of all the seasons. The snow, it should be mentioned, instead of being a barrier to travel, as in many other countries, is the great improver of the roads. In winter sleighr^ are sub.stituted for wheeled vehicles, and horses can FOR THK BRITISH TKNANT FAllMEU. 17 tlicn draw nuioh hoavior loads at greater Hpned over the liard-pack(!d 8Mi)\v, which lu'S oil tho ground in most parts of the l*roviiic«» from th(3 hi^giuning to ..he end of the winter H(!aHon. Tlie position of Ontario with respect to its means of access to the markets of th(^ world, is superior to that of nearly every one of its competitors in the same line of products, and is surpassed by none. The wheat-growing, tlio stock-raising, butter and cheese exporting sections of th(! United States, and the great grain fields of the future in the Canadian and American North- West, are not so well placed towards the Hritish marki'ts (which rule the prices) as is the Province of Ontario. Its interior means of transport are ample. At half a dozen dilb^rent points its railway system connects with that of the United States. Its magnificent system of lake, canal and river navigation acconimod. •» not alone its own trade, but also a great poi- tion of the trade of the Western States. Its seaports are Montreal and (^)uebecin summer, and Portland and Halifax in winter, with access at nil times to Boston, New York, etc., etc. Toronto, its capital, the seat of the Government and Legislatiire, of the Universities and other institutions of learning, and of the Law (Jourts, is a tine and nourish- ing city of 120,000 inhabitants, and offers a ready market for much that the farmer has to sell. Tt is the head-quarters of the principal exporters of live stock and of the leading men in commercial and manufacturing business, and the centre of a complete n.-jtwork of railways extending throughout the Province in all directions. The trip from Toronto to Liverpool can now be made with ease and com- fort in nine days, or even less time ; and the British farmer does not require to be told that the rates of freight are such that beef, butter, cheese, etc., can be carried from Ontario, laid down in English markets and .sold at prices so low that lie cannot compete with them except at an actual loss. But he should know that he can avoid this loss by transferring his capital and his skill to the Province of Ontario and investing both in agricultural pursuits. The markets throughout the Province are within easy reach of the farmer in every settled district. The highways are substantially made and kept in good repair, the towns and villages are thickly dotted over the country, being seldom more than from five to ten miles apart, and excepting in the new and far northern settlements, Almost every farm is within fifteen miles of a railway station. The 2 IS ONTARIO AS A HOME h ! I K. ' I il ^ question of easy access to market is one which might be supposed to involve serious dilHculties in a country embracing such a wide range of distances ; but practically the means of transport are so ample and tlie freight rates so regulated and upon the whole so low, that there is no settled part of the Province in which it presents material obstacles, either as to cost or convenience. Ontario has many varieties of soil, nearly all of which are fertile and of easy cultivation. The most common are the loams of different kinds, black, clay and sandy. Tiiere are also light and heavy clay soils, sandy soils, and in some districts marsh and alluvial soils of great depth resting on clay bottoms. The old farms are in some places partially worn out through long continued wheat cropping ;, but they still yield a profitable return if cultivated with the view to stock raising or dairy farming, the two branches which promise, in the future, to be the leading features of agricultural industry iu Ontario, and the tendency of which is to restore and enrich the soil. On this subject, the following extract, from the report of Professor Sheldon, of the Wilts and Hants Agricultural College, England, is instructive and exactly to the point. He says : — " Tliure are inany kinds of soil in this j)iiit of the ^'"ovince, most of which iU'o fertile and easy to cultivate. The most coninion soils are loams of one kind or another, comprising all the varieties included in the terms "sandy" and " clay " loams ; then, there are light soils of various kinds, clays and marsh soils, most of them more or less impregnated with organic matter. Many of these soils — I speak now of farms that have been long under cultivation — were at iirst well adapted to rl'e growtli of wlr.'at, but il apjiears, that in many ])laces, wheat has been grown so repeatedly on the land that it will no longer j)roduce the cro])s of it that were f(jrmerly easy to obtain; The fact is, this one croj) has lieen grown so very often that tlie land lias l)econie deficient in the elements neeessaiy to it ; the same land will, however, grow very good crops of other kinds — roots, clover, barley, jteas, (jats, and the like, while in some parts profitable crops of Indian corn are gi'own ; the latter, however, is almost an inexhausting crop, even more completely so than wheat, but not so cpiickly, and can only ])e grown to profit on a rich soil and a hot climate. The difierence between the two crops is this : — Wheat exhausts a soil of certain elements, leaving tlie rest comparatively mitouclied : but maize is a generally exhausting cro]), less de))endaiit on special elements, Imt feeding, ii.; it wore, on all alike ; and so it follows that it (^an Ijc grown for a longer time before the land shows signs of exhaustion, which at last is so thorough that fertility is restored with gi'eat ditKculty. There is, however, a great deal of good wheat land in Ontario and much more of it to be cleared. The partially exhausted land, too, will come roimd again, and will grow wheat profitably as before, but it is only good farming that will bring this about. The farmers of (.)nta]io dedaie that they would hardly have known what i FOR THE BRITISH TENANT FARMER. 19 U) (Iff with tlieir land if it wore not fm' clieeso-making, luul parliciilarly for tho new cattle and buef trade witli England. Wheat, wheat, nothing hut wheat as a ])aying crop was sinii)ly exhausting the land, returning nothing to it ; cattle raising jiaid poorly, because the demand was limited ; and cheese-making could only be ])rorttaV)ly carried (m in the districts suitable to it. B ' the demand arising in the Old Country for beef, and the improved means of ti'ansportation over the sea, have i)rovideil a new and profitable opening towards which the energies of the farmers are being directed. The jaising of stock suitable to the English market is now a leading and protitable branch in this part of the Dominion, and it is encouraging to the cultivation of root and green crops of clovei', Timothy and other forage crops of green corn, etc., for.soiling. The growth and con- sum]«tion of these crops, indeed, is the very practice that was needed to restore fertility to soils which had been injured l)y over-cro])]ting with wheat. But numbers of the Ontario farmers seem to be so wedded to wheat-raising, that rather than go extensively into stock-raising and fat- tening, and tne growth of various rotation crops, more aftei' the Engli.sh and Scotch models, they prefer to sell out and go to Manitoba and the NovthWest, a territory which is par cxccllmce a wheat country, and which must soon become, perhaps, the greatest granary in the world. They are the more inclined in this direction because they can sell their Ontario farms at 840 to SlOO an acre, and can buy virgin soil in the North-West at 81 to $10. Bj' a change of this nature they can easily establish their children in separate farms, a thing but few of thena could hope to do in Ontario, where land is comparatively high. They have also the spirit of restlessness which permeates the Americans as well, but which is scarcely known in England." The following eloquent tribute to the excellence of the climate and the capabilities of the soil of Ontario, is from the pen of the Hon. David A. Wells, an eminent American statesman, and is clipped from an article which appeared in the North Americayi lievinw, several years ago. i.Ir. Wells speaks from an intimate acquaintance with the country on both sides of the International dividing line, and his testimony is valuable as that of one whose knowledge and experience have placed him above the influences of national or sectional preju- dices. He says : — " North of Lakes Flrie and Ontario and the River St. Lawi'enco. oast of Lake Huron, south of tlie 4r)th parallel, and included niaiidy within the present Dominion Province of Ontario, there is as fair a country as exists (m the North American Continent, nearly as large in area as New \ork, Pennsylvania, and Ohio com'hined, and eipial, if not superior to these States in its agricultural capacity. It is the natural habitat on this con- tinent of the coud)uig wool sheep, without a full, cheap and reliable supply of the wool of which species the great worsted manufacturing interest ai the country cannot prosper, or we should rather say, exist. It is the land where grows the finest of barley, which the brewing interest of the United States must have if it ever expects to rival (Jreat Britain in its present ainiual export of over $11,000,000 of mult products. It raises and giazes the finest of cattle, with (pialities specially desirable to make good the Ml I I' \ * (I 20 ONTARIO AS A HoME I li ill (lutorioratioii of stock in other sections, and its climatic conditiona, croated hi I'i by an almost encirclement of the (Ireat Lakes, specially tit to grow men. ■! ' Such a countiy is one of the i^reatest gifts of Providence to the human , " [i^ race, better than bonanzas of silver and rivers whose sands contain gold." This " fair country " is nearly all included in what has been already described in tliese pages as the organized portion of the Province, or what is generally known as " Ontario," in the social, or political, as apart from tlie geographical sense. With reference to the south- western portion, or what is called the " peninsula " — that is the dis- trict partially enclosed or surrounded by Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay, embracing one-half the counties, three-fourths of tlie cities (8 out of 11) and perhaps more than the same proportion of all the towns and villages in the Province, has been described by Professor Sheldon in the ■ i! following words " This portion of Ontario may be regarded as the garden of the Dominion — literally as well as figuratively the garden-- for it is there that apples, ])ears, grapes, peaches, melons and the like grow in the greatest jn'ofusion, and with the least trouble on the part of the farmer. Every farm has an orchard, and it is purely tha farmer's fault if the (n-chard is not an excellent one, for the climate and the boH are clearly all tliat can be desired, and the trees will do their share of the work i»rovided the right sorts are planted, it is usual to plant out peach and ajjjile trees alteiiiately and in rows in a new orchai'd, and the apple trees are at a distance apart wiiich will be right when they are fidl grown ; this is done because the peach trees come to maturity lirst, and liave done bearing bef re the api)le trees j'e(iuire all the room ; the peach trees are then cut down and the apple trees occupy all the room, These trees are planted in rows at right angles, so that there is a clear passage ])etween them whichever v. ay we look, and the land can be freely cultivated among them ; it is, in fact, usual to take crops of wheat, tir oats, or maze, from the land during the time the trees are young, and we often see tine crops of golden grain overtopped by noble young trees laden with fruit. A faruier may not. of course, look to fruit I alone to grow rich on, but he often nets a nice roll of dollars out of it, and i to say the least, it is conducive to hajjpiness to be well sui)i)lied with fruit, ,s while to live in a climate and on a. soil that will pi'oduce it abundantly is I ' always desirable." The general productiveness of the soil of Ontario, its adaptability for raising all kinds of cereaLs, and its superiority over every part of the United States in the production of barley, are acknowledged facts. As the seasons vary, however, and tlie results of the harvest are very different in one year from another, a comparison of results as to the same crops, in two different years, will give the reader a fair idea of j i the relative productiveness of the different localities contrasted. i With this view the following table has been prepared from reliable FOR THE RRITISH TENANT FARMER. 2] official sources. It gives the average yield per acre of fall and spring wheat, barley and oats, in Ontario, and also in ten of the States of the adjoining Republic, for the years 1882 and 1884 : AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE. » In Bushels of Fall Wheat. In the years In Ontario ' Ohio ' Michigan ' Indiana" ' Ilhnois ' Missouri . . . . ' Kansas ' New York.... ' 'Pennsylvania . ' Iowa . . ' Minnesota 1882. 1 188-1. 2G.3 I 24.0 16.7 I 15.3 17.8 j 14.0 15.7 i 13.2 16.0 14.0 19.5 18.7 15.3 12.6 Si)ring Wheat. 16.5 15.0 1882. 16.5 1884. ! 1882, Barley. ii 20.2 11.0 13.3 12.5 16.1 28.6 li).!) 25.2 24.0 22.5 23.0 25.7 25.0 23 5 21.7 23.3 1884. 27.3 26.0 23.0 23.0 24.0 Oata. 23.0 j 19.0 I j 23.0 i 26.4 1882. 36.4 28.0 33.3 27.0 37.4 34.5 38.1 34.2 27.8 31.8 40.0 1884. 38.9 29.0 32.0 .30.0 33.0 30.0 28.0 32.0 33.3 It may be remarked that within recent years, in consequence of a cuange introduced in the process of making tlour, the market value of spring wheat, which formerly ruled from twelve to fifteen per cent, below that of full wheat, is now fully on a par with it, and that as a result the farmers are giving greater attention to the preparation of the soil for the spring crop, and therefon; reaping a better average yield than formerly. It should also be mentioned that eight out of the ten States named in the above table do not produce spring wheat, the conditions therein not being favourable to its profitable cultivr,i,ion. This circumstance, in connection with the higher market value of spring wheat from the cause just mentioned, gives additional force to the claim that even as a grain-producing country Ontario holds the first rank. M 22 ONTAIUO AS A HOME llil i' i I ft' t'll i ft'- II'' ^ f'- But ilattering as the above figures are to the Province of Ontario, its agriculturists are now turning their attention more and more to dairy-t'arn)ing and stock-raising, which liave been developed within a few years to an extent that has given surprising and grati- fying results, both in illustrating the capabilities of the soil, and in proving that such farming is far more profitable than the old system. In the extracts already given reference has been made to these sub- jects, but the following (also from Prof. Sheldon's report) is of interest as showing the course to be pursued in the management of such a farm : — " The Canadian dairy-faruier has several important advantages over hia English contemporary, nut the smallest of which is this : hu can grow at a very moderate cost veiy large crops of forage lor winter use ; clovers and tiuKjthy tluurish well on most sfjils in Ontario, and I should say that rye grasses would also, though I did no find they were much employed, if at all, ill tlie arowth of forage. J think they might be used to advar.tage. It is also clear, from what I saw in many i)]ace.s, that he can raise abund- ant crops of swedes and mangokis, and very good ones uf carrots, parsnips, and the like, Hire then, after the ([uestion of water, are the firs* reijuisites of successful dairy farming. A rotation of crops is just the system to re-invigorate the older soils of Ontario, which l>ave been over- cropi^ed with wheat, and rotations work well in dairy farming. It is true that good natual })astures are scarce in tlie Province, if indeed there are any at all which deserve the name from an Englishman's jioint of view (the best grass land I saw in Ontario was in the neighbourhood of London and on the way to Hamilton) ; but as I have said, clovers, etc., grow well, and thej' will answer capitally for jjastures for a year or two, a regular succession (jf tliem being provided, and it is a simple matter to produce a lai'ge sujjply of green corn — that is maize before it comes to maturity — for soiling in summer when the pastures run out. The rotations may be as follows : (1) Wheat or oats ; (2) Roots and green crops for soiling ; (3) Oats or barley, seeded down with artificial grasses ; (4, 5, and, if advisable, 0) Orass for forage and pastures. These rotations admit of endless variation, and in a country where no fossilized restrictions as to cropping exist, as they ilo in Euglcud, the farmer can always grow the croi)s that suit his purpose best. The practice at Bow Park is to sow Western corn, which is a luxuriant cropper, thickly, in drills of eighteen or twenty inches wide ; in this way the space between the drills is easily horse-hoed, until the corn is a foot or more high. The corn grows rapidly, and ellectually smothers the weeds and wild grasses, which grow vigourously in so forcing a climate. In Canada, as in England, the axiom is true that nothing cleans the soil of weeds so eflectually as a heavy cultivated crop of soma kind or otlier. If all the Western corn is not wanted for soiling, the balance is cut , rid stocked while the leaf is still green, and the grain in the milk, and it is left out in the fields, and fetched in as it is wanted in winter ; in this way it makes very good forage, and the stalks, leaves, and ears are all passed through the chaff-cutter, and all consumed by the stock. A similar systwm ma/ be fuUuwed with almost viuy ctliMr kind i;)i-. , t'^.t will be selling their "store" cattle to be fattened ixi'. ." ' ' ■ the Ontario farmer. As tj iu.: ,alue of the live stock in the Province it may be men- tioned that according to the returns published by the Bureau of Industries it was estimated last year at $103,568,045, being an FOR THE BRITISH TENANT FARMER. 25 increase of three and a half millions over the previous year. The number of animals is stated as follows : — Cattle 1,925,G70 Horses 535,953 Sheep 1,890,733 Piys 916,158 Poultry G,237,60G The value of th(; cheese exported has more than doubled within the same period, Canadian cheese being now recognized as the best made in America, and of late years it has competed not unsuccessfully with the Knglish-made article. The following figures tell the progress ^ of this trade in eleven years : — Quantity exported. Value. 1874 24,050,98-2 lbs. $3,523,301 1884 69,755,423 lbs. 7,251,989 Increase 45,704,441 lbs. $3,728,788 \ Or an average annual increase of 4,154,949 lbs. in quantity, and | of $338,980 in value during the eleven years. Last year (1885), the I quantity exported was 79,655,367 lbs., shewing an increase over the ^ eleven years' average of 5,744,995 lbs., and an increase over the exports of the previous year of 9,899,944 lbs., thus indicating that the average rate of progress is being rapidly accelerated. The value | of last year's exportation of cheese was .f8,265,240, an increase of $1,013,251 over the previous year, and of $674,271 over the eleven years' average. Such a rapid development in the cheese trade has naturally had the eirect of limiting the production of butter ; but nevertheless 7,330,788 lbs, of the value of $1,430,905, were exported last year, and efforts are being made with Government assistance, to establish cream- eries and improve the art of butter making, which has not as yet been very thoroughly understood among the majority of the rural population. In 1835, the population of Upper Canada (now the Province of Ontario) was about 300,000 ; now it is between two millions and two millions and a quarter. In that year the area of land in occupation was about 1,800,000 acres; now it is 23,300,000 acres. In other words, the number of the population has been multiplied by seven and the area of the land in occupation by thirteen, in half a century, and this development has taken place by steady progress without any periods of phenomenal expansion followed by collapse, for every year of the whole fifty has its record of advancement, be it less or more. I 26 ONTARfO AS A HOMR Iff 'ared and under crop, of which at least two acres are to be cleared and cultivated annually for live years ; to build a liabitabh; iiouse, at least lGx20 feet in size ; and to reside on tho land at least six months in each year. i The Free Grant Lands are marked on tho ollicial map by being I\ coloured pink. ;! By an Act passed at the last session of the Lcigislature (1886) the Free Orant system is extended to tlie llainy River District upon !' the same terms and conditions of settlement as above set forth. The 1'. ii (juantity of land wliich may be obtained is one hundred and sixty acres to a head of a family having children under eighteen years of af'e residing with him (or lier) ; and one liundrrd and twenty acres to a single man over eighteen, or to a married \uan not having i| 1 children under cigliteen residing with him ; eac'' person obtaining a free grant to have the privilege of purchas^ing forty acres additional t, at the rate of one dollar per acre, payable in four annual instalments. Several townships have already been surveyed on tlie (Canadian bank of the llainy River on the one mile square section plan — the same as has been followed in the North-west. The Ontario Legislature has adopted and legalized these surveys by the Act just mentioned, and provided that any lands in the Rainy River District considered suitable for settlement and cultivation may by Order in Council be appropriated as free grants upon the terms specified. The Rainy Fou Tim uurnsii tenant faumeu. 81 llivcr I^istri't is the vv<>.stoni division of Ontario lionlcririiif on Manitolia, and coniptiscH a laij^M* area of tlio most vuluaKIt! timber lands in thct whole Duniinion. The Rainy Riv(!r itsolf marks the fntor- national houndary line, and its valley, whieh is the most extensive in th(! district, is admirably adapted for Hf,'rionlturp, the soil being a rich alluvial deposit, and convsidered ociual in fertility to the best lands in ^fanitoba and tlie North-west. Here are located the Town- ships set apart as free grants, and in addition to a soil that is as rich as the most favoured portions of Manitol)a and the North- West prairies, the settler will have the; important advantages of an un- limited supply of wood and water. The river is about eighty miles in length, and the whole of the right, or Canadian, bank is covered with a heavy growth of forest trees, shrubs, climbing vines and beautiful flowers. The forests in the district are of immense value, and the lumbering industry which will undoubtedly be prosecuted there on an extensive scale will make farming a protitable undertaking in Rainy lliver valley. The climate is similar to that of the old settled parts of 'lie Province, and the luxuriance of the vegetation gives evidence of the richness of the soil. All kinds of grain, roots and gard(!n vegetables yield abundant crops, as has been proved by the few settlers who have already taken up land in the neighbourhood of Fort Frances, which is situated on th(! river bank about two miles from Ilainy Lake. The name of Alberton has been given to this settlement. In order to make a successful settlement upon a free grant, the settler should have at least £G0 to £100 (8;}00 to $500) after reach- ing his location. But immigrants on their arrival in the country, are advised to go out first for a year or more as agricultural labourers. The experience thus acquired will far more than compensate for the time lost. The settlers are always willing to help new comers. A house, such as is required Vjy the Act, could be erected by contract for from £S to £10 (!?40 to $50) ; but with the assistance the settler would certainly receive from his neighbours, it might be erected for even less. The best season of the year to go on to a free grant is the month of September, after harvest work in the old settlements is over. There is time to put up a house and get comfortably settled before the winter sets in, and during the winter the work of chopping and clearing can go on. In this way a crop can begot in during the fiist spring. The operation of putting in the first crop is a very I'ii I f 32 ONTARIO AS A HOME FOR THE BRITISH TENANT FARMER. ■I ' ■'.■' : i. it simple one. Ploughing is at once impracticable and unnecessary. The land is light and rich. All it needs is a little scratching on the surface to cover the seed. This is done with a drag or harrow, which may either be a very rough, primitive implement, or it may be care- fully made and well finished. FARM LABOURERS AND DOMESTIC SERVANTS. From the beginning of April till the end of October there is always a steady demand for farm labourers, especially for single men. More than double the number arriving could easily find eniployment by the year at fair wages. It must, however, be understood that only experienced men are wanted by the year. A single man who can plough well, and who has had some experience in taking care of stock, can readily obtain employment at about 8150 per annum with mnin- tenance, with a prospect of considerable increase if he should be found to be a good trustworthy man. Should thirty or forty come together and advise the Immigration Department on th'^b- arrival at Qtiebec, farmers would certainl}^ be in waiting at Toronto to employ them. Families of farm labourers can find ready employment if tliey are experienced and have the means of pi'oviding a little furniture and provisions. If there are young women in the family, able and willing to take places as servants, so much the better. The d(Mnand for female domestic servants is constant everywhere throughout the Province at all seasons of the year. Wages of experienced servants wore higher in 188.5 than in the preceding year. Good general servants can readily find employment at from 88 to $10 per month. Young women, liowevcr, who are not able or willing to work will not succeed in the Province. Full inforr , 'tion regarding all matters connected with Jmmigration, will be furnished on application, personally or by letter, to DAVID SPENOE, Secretary of the. Departmi'jd of Immigration, 65 SIMCOE ST., TORONTO. Or to PETER BYRNE, Nottinyham Jiidhllngs, I!) Brinisioick St., LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. ffCil is ^ » S' p'